Slot machines have evolved by leaps and bounds over more than 100 years, but you’ll still find fruit-themed slots among the most popular machines in every online casino. Considering that the first slot machine also used fruit as its symbols, we can say that it doesn’t get much classier than this. Let’s take a look at why they’re still played by millions of people around the world, and which of these machines are the favourites of gamblers in Latvia.
Why are fruit machines still popular?
We can identify a number of factors as to why both new and experienced players prefer classic or fruit machines, while each of the major casino game developers continues to maintain and develop new versions. It’s hardly just good old-fashioned sentiment.
Easy to understand design and payout system
There’s no denying it – many of us have tried our luck at physical slots at least once, and probably with fruit games. We are also attracted to online casinos because of their bright, classic and easy-to-understand design. Cherries, lemons, watermelons, lucky 7 are classics in their own right.
These slots are designed to be simple, sometimes with just 3 or 5 reels and very few paylines. Everything is clear at a glance at the paytable. There are no mega sound effects or video animations. The audio is as close as possible to the experience that could have been had in a gaming arcade many decades ago.
Simple gameplay
Sometimes we all wish for something simpler. Thousands of paylines like in Megaways, various bonus games and feature games (which can also be bought), free spins and variety show themes – there are times when it’s all too much. And then you turn to the classics, where the gameplay is easy to understand, and there’s one Wild or Scatter symbol. It’s gambling at its purest, you could say – bets, a handful of paylines and combinations, plus a multiplier option. Just in time to unplug from a hectic day at work or a more complex hand game.
Quite often a higher RTP or return percentage
As you know, every game has its own return percentage. The good news is that modern slot machines often have a lower RTP than the good old classic fruit machines. Read more about RTP here.
The most popular fruit or classic online slot machines in Latvia
There are many hundreds of different types of fruit machines online, but some of them are more popular than others. Here’s a look at a few that you’ll usually find in Latvia’s online casinos under “top games” or “most popular games”.
Sizzling Hot Deluxe (Greentube / Novomatic)
The most classic of the popular fruit games that you’ll find in almost every online casino. 5 reels and only 5 fixed paylines, all super simple. Bet from €0.05 to €50. The RTP for this game is 95.60%. A multiplier option is also available, and the star is the scatter symbol. Sure to stir up some good nostalgic feelings.
20 Super Hot, 40 Super Hot, 100 Super Hot (EGT)
The gameplay and symbols are as classic as Sizzling Hot Deluxe. The number next to the name indicates the number of paylines. In this game, 7 also plays the role of Wild and it is a progressive jackpot game. The RTP is 95.53%.
Mega Joker (Greentube / Novomatic)
A Greentube retro slot machine with a below-average RTP of 95.05%. There aren’t many sound effects and other features, but the Joker symbol is Wild and will substitute for any other, while the Star acts as a Scatter. With a total of 40 paylines, the game’s volatility is average. The minimum bet is €0.40.
Number of slot reels and paylines
When talking about slot machines, we cannot avoid two technical terms: reels and payline. Let’s take a look at what each of them means.
Slot machine reels
Reels or wheels are the parts of a slot machine that spin each time a button is pressed and the game is triggered. The reels have symbols on them. The most common are, for example, sevens, BAR, various fruits and berries, horseshoes, pop culture icons and others. These symbols award a cash prize to the player when they land in a certain order.
Payline
A payline is an arrangement of symbols that will award a win. The simplest type of payline is a straight payline (e.g. 4 of a kind on a straight line). However, nowadays it is far from the only one. Paylines are often arranged in a diagonal, zigzag or even ‘pattern’ pattern. The number of paylines in Internet gaming machines can be as high as 100 lines or more (software allows this).
Online slot machine reels and paylines
As mentioned above, the first slot machine, Liberty Bell, had three reels and only one payline. Three of a kind meant a win. When we mention the word ‘slot machine’, people usually think of a classic slot machine with three reels and three lines of symbols.
However, with the development of slot machines, microchips and the introduction of video games in the 1970s and 1980s, everything changed. But compared to online slot machines, they are just a flower. In today’s online casinos, you’ll find machines with not just three or four reels, but even five, six and seven.
The number of paylines is also impressive, and you can usually choose how many of them you want to play (more active paylines also increases the chance of winning, but the stake is also higher). For example, the popular Book of Ra in Latvia has five reels and 9 paylines.
Choose the game that appeals to you most by checking out the best online slots in Latvia at labakaiskazino.com! Although the options are vast, many people still prefer the classic values – simple slots with three reels and just a few paylines – in both regular and online casinos.